Post-surgical pain often is treated with a single pain medicine or a combination of pain medicines. Types of pain medicines include:
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Opioids such as morphine and codeine, which also are known as narcotics
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Acetaminophen such as Tylenol
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Combinations of acetaminophen and narcotics such as Vicodin or Percocet
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Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such ibuprofen
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Local anesthetics
According to studies, people who use pain medicines early and aggressively after surgery have shorter hospital stays, have fewer chronic pain problems later, and use fewer painkillers overall than people who avoid pain medicine. The risk of addiction to pain medicine is low for patients using such medicines for post-surgical pain.
Post-surgical pain treatment also allows a person to:
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Feel more comfortable — Feeling comfortable will help the body heal.
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Get well faster — If less pain is present, a person can start walking and regain strength more quickly.
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Have fewer complications after surgery — People whose pain is well-controlled seem to do better after surgery.
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This information is provided by the Cleveland Clinic and is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition. This document was last reviewed on: 12/16/2004
